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Monday, April 22, 2013

Wandering through the garden, camera in hand

I had a little time over the weekend to plant out some of my little seedlings, and give the garden a good drink of seaweed tea. The honeyeaters have a great time when there are little droplets of water of the plants, and they seem to chatter back and forth excitedly - way too fast for my camera. In the shady area alongside the path this lovely little bush has started flowering. I have forgotten what it is called, so for now it is just the white butterfly bush.

It doesn't really attract butterflies, but the flowers remind me of a butterfly. I used to have a plant with blue flowers just like this when I lived and gardened in Florida USA.

I also have another plant settling in - it is like a mini caladium. These areas of white are great in the shady garden - they seem to pop right out at you.

The pink ginger is going great guns, and in fact I still have to cut some of these branches back as it is quite overgrown. They always look a little dirty, though.

Also in the shady area is this red antirrhinum - I sometimes have to pinch myself when I think that I am growing these very exotic flowers right here in my own backyard!

The weather is lovely - the humidity has died right down, so it is a real pleasure to be outside in the garden. Isn't this cordeline beautiful as it unfolds in the morning sun? As the leaves age they turn to a rich deep burgundy.

I don't think there is anything in life much more pleasurable than wandering through the garden, camera in hand, admiring Gods creation.

15 comments:

LOVELY blooms throughout your garden.I had no idea there was a white butterfly bush. I have a small blue one in my garden given to me recently by one of my gardening buddies.Now I'm going to be on the search for the white one. Yours is beautiful.The rain is finally falling here, so I'm looking forward to lots of growth in my garden.I am always marveling at God's creations......everyday.

Majority of plants you show on your blog we in Poland grow as indoor plants. For example, this antirrhinum is a very popular plant in Poland and it's colloquial name is "the revenge of the mother-in-law" :) But I don't know really why.

what I would not give to have such pretty things in my garden right now! If I want to wander and take photos of anything living, I have to stay in the greenhouse!thank you for the kind words for my dad! hugs!

Your white butterfly flower or what is called Clerodendrum wallichi, common name, Bridal Veil is looking so lush and gorgeous. I have a few bushes of this plant but the flowers are not as plentiful. I envy yours.

daddyisgroovy,thank youViginia,Yes I had the blue one before, but am amazed how well this one is doing in deep shade. It really brightens up this corner.Nick,Thank you, I am lucky to live here.Dewberry,Oh that is funny, maybe because they stick around for so long? I had a wonderful, very sweet mother-in-law so that doesn't apply here!Laura,Oh thank you, you are so kind.Malay-kadazan,It is pretty awesome.Tootsie,You certainly achieve greatness in your greenhouse!Practical frog,I still need to get out there and do some clearing away.Donna,hello from Australia. Thank you.Stilleto,that sounds about right - I don't know why those Latin names do not stick in my head! It is in quite a shady spot.

You have the most admirable plants Africanaussie! The butterfly bush, I have not seen the flowers all open hanging in a bunch like this. Thanks for quick snapping, that photo of the beautiful butterfly blossoms is awesome :-D And of course that pink ginger is so so sweet. Pinch yourself again hehe...

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Quotes I enjoy

Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables, they probably get jet-lagged, just like people do - Elizabeth Berry

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more,

but in developing the capacity to enjoy less

- paraphrased from Socrates quote

“See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.” – Mother Teresa

Nature in all its diversity grants us a glimpse into the heart of God the Father which is nothing but Love.

It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you seeHendry David Thoreau

Making a garden is not a gentle hobby for the elderly,to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole, and once it has done so he will have to acceptthat his life is going to be radically changed. May SartonPlant Dreaming Deep, 1983

When the trees sing,It doesn't really matterIf you know the song, Or if you know the words,Or even if you know the tune.What really matters is knowing ....That the trees are singing at all.Mattie Stepanek, 1990-2004

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walkor an evening saunter;to be thrilled by the stars at night:to be elated over a bird's nestor a wildflower in spring... these are some of the rewards of the simple life.John Burroughs, 1837-1921

Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder…”– Thoreau

“Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate.” ~ Charles M. Schulz

You who walkmaybe with troubled thoughts....Come, enter here and restand may the sweet serenityof growing things....and the heavenly peacebe mirrored in thy soul.by Michael Palmer

Gods GardenThe Lord God planted a gardenIn the first white days of the world,And he set there an angel wardenIn a garment of light enfurled.So near to the peace of HeavenThat the hawk might nest with the wren,For there in the cool of the evenGod walked with the first of men.And I dream that these garden closesWith their shade and their sun-flecked sodAnd their lilies and bowers of roses,Were laid by the hand of God.The kiss of the sun for pardon,The song of the birds for mirth, -One is nearer God’s heart in a gardenThan anywhere else on earth.For He broke it for us in a gardenUnder the olive-treesWhere the angel of strength was the wardenAnd the soul of the world found ease.Dorothy Francis Gurney

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.Mary Jean Iron

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.Albert Einstein

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."~ John Lubbock******************************************************